The Talented Kontski Brothers: Works for Violin & Piano Sławomira Wilga & Izabela Wilga

• Karol de Kontski (1815 - 1867): Mazurka for Piano & Violin, Op. 29:
• 1Kontski: Mazurka for Piano & Violin, Op. 2904:55
• Grande fantaisie for Piano & Violin, Op. 27:
• 2Kontski: Grande fantaisie for Piano & Violin, Op. 2721:52
• Apollinaire de Kontski (1824 - 1879): Mazourka champêtre in D Major, Op. 4:
• 3Kontski: Mazourka champêtre in D Major, Op. 406:24
• Grande fantaisie sur "Lucia di Lammermoor" in G Major, Op. 2:
• 4Kontski: Grande fantaisie sur "Lucia di Lammermoor" in G Major, Op. 216:00
• Le Rossignol, Op. 22:
• 5Kontski: Le Rossignol, Op. 2208:29
• Total Runtime57:40

Info for The Talented Kontski Brothers: Works for Violin & Piano

This album is an invitation to listen to somewhat forgotten and even largely unknown music. It presents works of two talented brothers Karol Katski (1813-1867) and Apolinary Katski (1824-1879), who were active in the 19th century.

It was an era of great development of virtuosity. The performer enjoyed recognition in social perception; he was expected to convey not only the emotions related to the beautiful music itself, but also the emotions related to overcoming any technical difficulties, each time greater. Musicians were compared with each other, public or behind-the-scenes rankings and competitions were held. 'Child prodigies', who successfully performed at a very young age, were particularly appreciated. Both Katski brothers qualified as such the eldest Karol and the youngest Apolinary. They were both violinists-virtuosos, also when they grew up and when their professional paths stabilized. Occasionally, they were also composers, as evidenced by these recordings, which fall into the category of salon music, popular at that time. Both composers wrote them for themselves, with their skills in mind. However, this music is not simply an excuse to present daredevil technical difficulties; they are graceful, melodious pieces, listened to for pleasure and rest.

The performers of this music are Slawomira Wilga (violin) and Izabela Wilga (piano), an extremely talented sister duo. Both artists, despite their young age, have a successful musical career, of which these subtle recordings are yet another proof.

Sławomira Wilga, violin
Izabela Wilga, piano

Sławomira Wilga
is a polish violinist, who’s graduated with honors Fryderyk Chopin General Primary and Secondary General Music School in Bytom. She is associated with the Academy of Music G. and K. Bacewicz in Łódź where she’s graduated with honors as well.

Laureates of many music competitions both in Poland and abroad, including I International Music Competition of Karol Szymanowski in Katowice, I International Violin Competition of Grazyna Bacewicz in Łódź, the International Competition in 3 Scenes in Bydgoszcz, the International Chamber Competition Luigi Zanuccoli, Italia and many others.

She has cooperated many times with orchestras in Poland and abroad (including the National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Sinfonietta Cracovia, Pomeranian Philharmonic, Bydgostiensis Camerata, Lodz Philharmonic, Silesian Orchestra, Philharmonic from Zabrze, Kielce, Kalisz, the Polish Camerata Chamber Orchestra, the National Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Orchestra of the Academy of Music in Łódź, the Norwegian Telemark Chamber Orchestra, Primuz Chamber Orchestra, Archetti Chamber Orchestra, Baltic Neopolis Orchestra and many others).

For her achievements so far, she has been recognized with such awards as the “Young Poland” Scholarship, the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage Scholarship, the YAMAHA Foundation, the Davey Prize, Award of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage for artistic achievements, Special “Wena” Award.

During various courses, she had the opportunity to work under the supervision of outstanding musicians from around the world, including Zakhar Bron, Nikita Borisoglebsky, Barnabas Kelemen, Katalin Kokas, Roland Baldini, Maxim Rysanov, Boris Brovtsyn, Łukasz Błaszczyk, Bartłomiej Nizioł, Andrej Bielow, Maria Szwajger-Kułakowska.

She has taken part in many polish and international music festivals such as International Festival of Contemporary Music Warsaw Autumn, International Music Festival Emanacje, Warsaw Music Encounters, Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival, International Chamber Festival Usedomer Musikfestival in Germany, International Norwegian Music Festival Grieg in Bergen, International Spring Orchestra Festival in Malta and many other things.

Sławomira Wilga gives the concerts in the country and abroad as well as a soloist and chamber musician. She is also cooperating with Baltic Neopolis Orchestra.

Booklet for The Talented Kontski Brothers: Works for Violin & Piano